ODNR Fall Events Will Showcase Traditional Activities and New Amenities

Weekly ODNR updates provide ideas for outdoor fun this season

COLUMBUS, OH – Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) welcomes Ohioans and out-of-state guests to experience the fun of traditional fall festivals, events and campouts and try new amenities and opportunities during their visits.

Ohio state parks are offering dozens of fun, family-oriented camping opportunities again this autumn. From Findley State Park to Hueston Woods, there will be campsite decorating, costume contests, pumpkin carving and much more throughout October. These family favorites are highlighted this year by some new features and events.

The brilliance of color during Ohio’s fall foliage season will add to the excitement of disc golf games, which can now be played at thirteen Ohio state parks. One of the newest disc golf courses is a 9-hole course at Dillon State Park in Muskingum County. The park also recently opened an archery range for archers who want to practice their sport or prepare for an exhilarating hunt.

ODNR Division of Natural Areas and Preserves is also expanding outdoor recreation opportunities for its visitors this fall. On October 3, a NatureCache event will be held at Lawrence Woods in Hardin County. This is the last in this year’s popular series of Gander Mountain-sponsored events that combines naturalist-led interpretive hikes with global positioning system (GPS) technology.

In addition to the opportunities noted above, here are some upcoming autumn campouts, festivals and events: 

Event	State Park	Region	Date	Details	Contact info
Nature Programs	Hocking Hills	Southeast	Oct. 2-3	Cameras & Critters, 3 p.m.; Oct 2 - Ash Cave Night Hike, 7 p.m.; Oct 3 - Hocking's Birds of Prey, 10 a.m.; The Wonders of Old Man's Cave, 2 p.m.	740-385-6842
Fall Festival & Campout	Alum Creek State Park	C	Oct. 2-3	Campsite decorating and costume contests, pumpkin carving, treats and crafts.	740-548-4631
Harvest Moon Campout	Pike Lake State Park	SW	Oct. 2-3	Campsite decorating, pumpkin carving, hayrides, kids’ games, craft show and bean supper.	740-493-2212
Fall Campout	Findley State Park	NE	Oct. 2-3	Hayrides, nature programs, crafts, games and trick-or-treat.	440-647-5749
Halloween Campout #1	East Harbor State Park	NW	Oct. 2-3	Scarecrow and decorated campsite contests, kids’ crafts and games, hayrides, haunted house, bonfire and cookout.	419-734-4424 ext. 2
Indian Summer Campout	Caesar Creek State Park	SW	Oct. 2-3	Seasonal crafts, games and family fun.	513-897-3055
Halloween Campout	Grand Lake St. Marys State Park	NW	Oct. 2-4	Apple bobbing, pumpkin carving, hayrides, costume and campsite decorating.	419-394-3611
Fall Campout #1	Buck Creek State Park	SW	Oct. 2-3	Nature programs, crafts, games, contests, trick or treat and hayrides.	937-322-5284
Fall Festival	Portage Lakes State Park	NE	Oct. 2-4	Campfire tales, trick-or-treat, costumes and games.	330-644-2220
Apple Butter Festival	Mt. Gilead State Park	C	Oct. 2-4; Oct 3&4, Breakfast 7:30-10 a.m.	Apple butter making, hayrides, fall hikes, entertainment and ham & bean soup.	419-946-1961
NatureCache	Lawrence Woods State Nature Preserve	NW	Oct. 3, 10 a.m.	Pre-registration encouraged.	419-445-1775
Smokey Bear Fire Awareness Weekend	Shawnee State Park	SW	Oct. 3, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.	At the campground. Fire safety tips from Smokey Bear and Friends.	740-858-6652
Festival at the Grist Mill	Mohican State Park	NE	Oct. 3	Oktoberfest celebration with authentic food, refreshments & entertainment.	(419) 668-2497 or www.WolfCreekMill.org
Hayride & Harvest Moonlight Tour	Malabar Farm State Park	NE	Oct. 3, Noon-8 p.m.	30-minute hayride tours are $3/person. House tours offered at regular tour fee	419-892-2784
Spin-In Gathering	Malabar Farm State Park	NE	Oct. 3, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.	Spinning and weaving demonstrations	419-892-2784
Fall Campout, Hog Roast & Cast-Iron Cook-off	Blue Rock State Park	SE	Oct. 3	Plus, antique tractors and a kiddie tractor pull.	740-453-4377
Apple Butter Festival	Hueston Woods State Park	SW	Oct. 3-4	At the pioneer farm. Arts, crafts and traditional apple butter making.	513-524-4250
Halloween Festival #2	Hueston Woods State Park	SW	Oct. 3-4	Campsite decorating, games, Halloween treats and a haunted trail.	513-523-6347
Fall Festival	Beaver Creek State Park	NE	Oct. 3-4, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.	At the pioneer village and Gaston’s Mill. Crafts and demonstrations of pioneer life.	330-385-3091
Paw Paw Hike	Caesar Creek State Park	SW	Oct. 4, 2 p.m.	At nature center. Learn about the North American mango.	513-897-2437

For more information about ODNR events and activities throughout the state this fall, visit www.ohiodnr.com and click on Fall Foliage. Additional fall events throughout Ohio can be found at discoverohio.com or by calling 1-800-BUCKEYE.

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources ensures a balance between wise use and protection of our natural resources for the benefit of all. Visit the ODNR web site at www.ohiodnr.com. 

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For further information, contact:

Beth Ruth, ODNR Media Relations

614. 265. 6860